Partnership with local initiative to assist special-needs residents and neighborhood beautification
HOUSTON (October 20, 2010) – YouthBuild Houston, a program by HoustonWorks USA, and Hands on Housing, a Jacinto City Community Housing Rehabilitation Initiative by Jacinto City Councilman Christopher Lawrence Ochoa, will partner to assist low-income, disabled and elderly citizens with home repairs they cannot afford or are physically unable to perform. The partnership, designed to encourage civic pride by motivating citizens to beautify their own homes, will begin with a kick-off at 8 a.m., Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 10434 Burman in Jacinto City.
“We are excited to begin this valuable partnership with Hands on Housing,” said Larry V. Green, CEO HoustonWorks. “We’d like to thank Home Depot for donating supplies to make this project possible. We will not only be repairing homes, we are taking on multiple community concerns that face our neighbors – all while building a better future for our YouthBuild participants.”
“HoustonWorks has long been working to improve our local communities and I look forward to seeing the success this new partnership. The YouthBuild program is an important initiative for at-risk youth and the joint venture with Hands on Housing will no doubt change our community, but change these young lives,” said U.S. Congressman the Honorable Gene Green.
The partnership’s plan on hosting events quarterly and the first project will be a home with historical ties to Jacinto City. The location was the site of the city’s first council meetings and legislative decisions. U.S. Congressman for the 29th District, the Honorable Gene Green, will be in attendance for the event. Volunteers from a variety of local organizations are scheduled to take part in the service project.
“This partnership with Hands on Housing will be a catalyst to many great initiatives for Jacinto City,” said Ochoa. “We will be mobilizing the city’s most valuable resource – its residents.”
In the YouthBuild Houston program, at-risk young people, ages 18-24, work toward their GEDs, learn job skills and serve their communities by constructing low-income housing, transforming their lives and community. Participants receive hands-on training working with Houston Habitat for Humanity and complete more than 500 hours of community service. For more information about YouthBuild Houston, visit www.houstonworks.org.
About HoustonWorks USA:
Founded in 1984, HoustonWorks USA is the leading provider of services focusing on job placement, continuing education and vocational training. Serving more than 1 million annually, HoustonWorks USA provides job seekers with a variety of workshops including job search techniques, interviewing skills and resume writing, or use of the resource library with Internet access and postings of local, state and national job openings. Training is also available in career fields such as healthcare, business, computers and education. HoustonWorks USA manages several of the largest Workforce Solutions offices in Houston and the surrounding region for the Houston Galveston Area Council. These offices offer a wide range of services for job seekers as well as employers looking for trained workers. HoustonWorks also provides numerous youth programs including internships, scholarships, summits and summer camps. HoustonWorks is a 501(c) 3, tax-exempt organization. Visit www.houstonworks.org for additional information.
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